Nearly, 400 years ago, the Chowdhurys settled in and around a small village in Bardhaman and established their Zamindari. With time, they grew to become one of the most influential Zamindars of Bengal. Today, their house, temple, mango orchards and the Dighi (pond) stand testimony to the grand past. If you are a time-traveller, then you must visit the Chowdhury Zamindar Bari this weekend to re-discover the grandeur of Zamindari lifestyle and the beauty of rural Bengal. BOOKING DETAILS OF CHOWDHURI BARI Not even a 100-kms of Kolkata, the landscape of Bengal gives way to...

Rolep is tucked on the slopes of the rolling green Himalayan foothills with panoramic views of the Rangpo Khola River valley. While in Rolep, you can hike along the hanging bridges over gushing rivers, get drenched under the 40-feet high waterfall and try angling trouts in the river. Rolep is one of the new-found gems of East Sikkim, which gives a very authentic experience of village life and adventure. Here, guests are welcomed in traditional home stays where they can take part in the daily lives of the villagers and taste some sumptuous local cuisine. BOOKING...

High up in the Himalayas is a small village called Yakten which stays shrouded in mist and caressed by the soft chilling winds. Located just 35 kms from the bustling city of Gangtok in Sikkim, Yakten is surrounded by pine forests with magnificent views of the lush rolling Himalayan foothills. A 10-minutes walk through the pine forest would take you to a view point from where you can catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Almost eight home stays with adequate modern amenities welcome guests at Yaakten. BOOKING DETAILS OF YAKTEN Places to see in Yakten: The...

Perched on a mountain slope at 4700 feet and surrounded by the deep and dense Neora Valley Forest, Pabong enjoys one of the best views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Few kilometers from the popular tourist spots of Loleygaon and Chakhole, this tranquil village of Pabong has somehow escaped the clutches of commercialisation and mass tourism. Here, you can trek along the Neora forest and enjoy bird watching, take village walks along the terraced paddy fields and spend the quite evenings watching the lights of Kalimpong flickering in the horizon. If you are searching for a hidden...

Tshlamthang is a quaint village tucked in the Himalayan foothills. The bird’s eye view of gurgling Teesta River and snow-clad Nathula peaks create a mix of charms. The name Tshlamthang means Orange Farm. It is a quiet and organic spot for both people who love to laze in nature enjoying native cuisine and culture and adventurous people looking for treks, bird watching, trails and walks and angling. With plenty of nearby tourist attractions like Ravangla, Temi, Solophok and forest trekking scope, this new destination in South Sikkim is still an unknown paradise. BOOKING...

If you have dreamt of a cosy home within the lush tea gardens overlooking the snow capped peaks of Mt. Kanchenjungha – then its time you spend your weekend at Kurbia. Tucked within Darjeeling’s legendary tea gardens – Castleton, Monteviot and Springside, Kurbia at an altitude of around 5000 feet is the place where you take long walks along the tea gardens and gaze at Mt. Kanchenjungha while sipping your coveted “first flush.” If you are planning for some sightseeing, then Kurseong, Ghoom, Darjeeling and few other untouched nearby destinations...

Located within a pine forest, this heritage wood bungalow in Bees Gaon is a hidden treasure just 28 kms from Darjeeling. A walk from the bungalow would take you to a nursery, tea gardens and some more British heritage bungalows. The sparkling weather at 5000 feet and the wilderness of the surrounding pine forest makes the stay in Bees Gaon bungalow a lifetime experience. Being near to Darjeeling, Bees Gaon is also a choice for tourists who want to escape the chaos of Darjeeling yet enjoy the sightseeing options in day trips like Ghoom, Batasia, Teesta Valley, Lamahatta,...

Mangerjang is a small village, surrounded by forests overlooking Mt. Kanchenjungha and River Teesta. Far from the tourist rush – it’s a refuge for the soul searchers. Here, you wake up to bird calls and fall asleep to starry nights. You can take jungle walks and stay in a village still not marked on the tourist map. Located at an altitude of 3500 feet on a cliff, Mangerjang is very near to Munsong and just 11 kms from Rangpo. The village has around eight resident families, who till a small piece of land and leave the rest to the deep forests. A village monastery, a...

Chibo is a new tourist destination just 4 kms from Kalimpong. Mountains have always been a wonder for tourists. Chibo claims an average altitude of 4100 feet and is a pristine hill village in the Himalayas located on a ridge, offering spectacular views of the Mt. Kanchenjungha and the surrounding forests and foothills. BOOKING DETAILS OF CHIBO Places to see in Chibo Kalimpong: Forests and wild flowers all around make Chibo a small paradise tucked along the slopes of Himalayas. A cactus garden in front of a local village house is just lovely to look at. Chibo has wonderful...

Rangaroon is a small scenic tea garden located 6000 feet above sea level and 16 kilometres from Darjeeling with a great view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. With a small population and a tea-growing area of around 90 hectares, it is a popular destination among tourists who wish to extend their Darjeeling trip and take in the natural sights and sounds of the hills. Mostly used as a site for adventure travel, Rangaroon also commands offbeat travellers for its scenic beauty, its high quality tea and the abundance of rare and endangered plant, bird and animal species. BOOKING DETAILS...

Lamahatta, located 23 kms from Darjeeling in West Bengal, is a picturesque mountain village situated 5400 feet above sea-level. It is surrounded on all sides by pine forests and gardens with panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Lamahatta is an ideal holiday destination for tourists who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and enjoy natural solitude, with its rare and beautiful species of flowers carpeting the landscape and surrounding gardens. Lamahatta is well-connected to all major tourist hubs like Darjeeling and Kalimpong. BOOKING DETAILS OF...

Dara Eco Village is perched on a mountain slope amidst orange orchards facing Mt. Kanchenjungha and River Teesta. Located ahead of Teesta Bazar towards the western side of the Kalimpong hills, in the Teesta Valley, the Dara Eco Village is home to few terraced farms, forests and too many orange orchards. But, the real attraction of this little village is the 105 year old Heritage house. Completely made of wood, this century-old home still has the earliest wood foundations, door arches, staircases, wooden floors and khirkis intact. Recently renovated with modern facilities,...

Situated at an elevation of five thousand feet above sea level, and located very close to both Kurseong Town and Darjeeling, Singell is a beautiful but lesser known destination. It is surrounded on all side by alpine villages and tea-estates. It is perfect for those who wish to enjoy several days of perfect calm and solitude, since Singell, given its location and nature, is never crowded and is free of the usual hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors who wish to catch a glimpse of nearby hill-stations can do so, especially catching glimpses of the toy-train from...

Lepchajagat, situated at an altitude of 6956 feet, is a small village 19 kilometres from Darjeeling, in North Bengal. It takes its name from “Lepcha” meaning the indigenous inhabitants of the region, and “Jagat” symbolizing “world” or “domain”. As the name suggests, the village is a Lepcha stronghold, which has since been transformed into a forest reserve. Lepchajagat is ideal for those tourists visiting Darjeeling but planning to take a diversion from the hustle and bustle of the Darjeeling main town. Not only does it offer stunning greenery and mountain views, but...

Martam is a picturesque Himalayan village, tucked in a quiet corner of West Sikkim, with spectacular views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. The place is mostly known for its pristine village life and beautiful natural surroundings. Although located near popular tourist destinations like Bermiok, Uttarey and Rinchenpong, Martam is still far from the maddening tourist rush. This little village is also popular for its thriving flora and fauna species and is home to some of the most beautiful birds of Sikkim. BOOKING DETAILS OF BERMIOK MARTAM Places to see at Bermiok Martam: Martam is a...